Governor of Bayelsa state Honourable Seriake Dickson and other eminent Nigerians Thursday, named as members of Dr. Gabriel Okara Foundation.
Some members of the Foundation include, Prof. John Pepper Clark, a great Poet, renowned historian, Prof. Ebiegberi Joe- Alagoa, Prof. Ernest Emenyonu of the African Studies, University of Michigan, USA and Dr. Seiyifa Koroye, Special Adviser on Strategy, Documentation and Community Relations.
Speaking during the Exhibition tagged, “Dr. Okara’s Life and Works” as part of activities lined up for the funeral rites, in Yenagoa, Governor Dickson said, though 98-year-old old literary icon had transited, his works and contributions to the world of arts would continually dot the surface of the earth.
Represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (retd), the Governor noted that theFoundation would be supported as a viable platform in producing the likes ofliterary legends as Dr. Okara that would continue to make the state and the country proud.
Describing Dr. Okara as a humble and disciplined man whose literary works have served as a source of inspiration to all over the years, the Governorurged the younger generation to imbibe reading culture for self-development.
Drawing inspirational quotes from the works of William Shakespeare, he said, “the height reached by great men is not attained by sudden flight but by dint of hard work.”
In a keynote address titled, “Gabriel Okara: A Life in Writing, Professor Emenyonu said Africa has lost its first modern African Poet in the continent.
Dr. Emenyonu extolled the literary giant for challenging the intellect of young Nigerian literary scholars, motivating and pushing them to attaining greater heights.
He also expressed appreciation to Governor Dickson for naming the State’s Cultural Centre after Okra while alive and called on other state governors to emulate the gesture.
Launching the Gabriel Okara Foundation, daughter of the literary icon, Mrs. Timinipre Okara-Schiller, said a major objective of the Foundation is to protect, preserve and promote Dr. Okara’s legacies.
Dr. Okara who passed on in March this year after a brief illness in Port Harcourt would be laid to rest this weekend in Bomoundi, his hometown, Yenagoa local government area.
